Liz breaks free from smoking habit - Thanks to her employer, Law Firm Freeth Cartwright

Like a scene from American sitcom Friends, Liz Ayres became a smoker when she realised she was missing out during breaks as colleagues went off for a chat and a cigarette.

Feeling a little left out, Liz soon became a social smoker, addicted to nicotine and spending money on cigarettes.

But all that was before Liz joined the Leicester office of regional law firm Freeth Cartwright. In an initiative aimed at helping staff to quit, the firm, which also has offices in Derby, Nottingham and Manchester, enlisted the help of local NHS services.

In Leicester, where Liz works as a secretary for commercial property partner Richard Osborn, Leicester City Primary Care Trustís STOP! Smoking service was used, with groups of smokers discussing why they smoked and talking about ways of quitting.

Liz has been using patches to help her quit, as well as nicotine gum. She now says that not only is her health better but she can also spend what money she has saved on new clothes.

Liz said: ìI really did not think I could stop. I knew that I should but I never did really. Until now of course, thanks to Freeth Cartwright. I donít think I could have done it without their help.

ìI was a social smoker but itís still smoking at the end of the day. I used to have trouble going up two flights of stairs but now I can do it without any trouble. And I can afford to buy a pair of shoes I wanted.î

Richard Osborn commented: ìI think itís great that Liz has been able to give up smoking. Obviously, as one of the regionís largest and knowledgeable law firms, we can advise companies and what they need to be doing to comply with the regulations in the upcoming smoking laws but there is more that organisations can do to help their staff, such as offering counselling for example.î

Louise Ross, manager of the STOP! smoking service welcomes the coming ban on smoking in covered public places. She said: ìGiving up smoking is a really good thing for Liz, we are very proud of her. The best results, in terms of getting people to stop smoking, are gained when they use pharmacological help and expert support in order to change lifestyles.î